Google announced today it's getting out of the movie download business ... but that move still leaves you with lots of choices.
Blockbuster is buying a movie download company ...and has dropped prices on its movies by mail service.
Netflix has matched those prices.
Local 12's Paula Toti is here with some of the best deals for movie watchers.
If you are a Costco member .. they now sell movie tickets. You can get two for $13.99 good for all the local Showcase Cinemas. As for having a movie date at home ... which plan is best ... it depends on your needs. Brian and Lisa Macdonald often find a movie waiting for them in the mail when they get home. They're so into movies they went to the video store on their first anniversary. They did their research before signing up for a movie rental plan. Checking out companies like Blockbuster and Netflix ... "And I read the blogs of users who tried both and it seemed Blockbuster was the better fit for us."
A better fit because they can return videos at the store or by mail.
They have a monthly plan that allows them to have two movies out at a time for $14.99 ... it would be a dollar cheaper if they didn't want the in store option. Netflix has the same by mail prices .... and the Macdonalds say Netflix is better for some users .
"Netflix has more concerts, and more artistic things, more options if not concentrating on movies."
Netflix also allows users to download several hours of movies with each of its plans. The options don't stop with the two big players ... the Macdonalds also have Apple TV.
"Anything in iTunes I can stream in there .. Photos, tv shows and movies."
The advantage here is that Lisa and Brian get to keep what they buy .. and save money when they download a TV episode like the West Wing. The alternative would be to buy the whole season at a dvd store. On Apple it's only a few dollars ... the whole episode at the store would be about $50. And they also get to watch it on their i-phone.
Most Apple movies are about 9.99 ... not cheap ... but then again you can see owning movies is also important to the Macdonalds.
The Macdonalds also suggest Ttme Warner, movies on demand, if you only watch a few a month for about four dollars each. They do feel Blockbuster has a two or three week jump on new releases.
Finally I found if you just sign up at the Blockbuster website they occassionally send coupons for two dollar rentals.
